Virtual teams: a leader's guide

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to provide guidelines to help leaders understand and lead virtual teams. Design/methodology/approach – This paper discusses the importance and implementation of effective leadership for virtual teams. It begins with a review of conventional versus virtual teams, and then describes the two primary leadership functions in virtual teams – performance management and team development. Following the discussion of the development and function of new teams, the article then provides a detailed guide for the leadership of virtual teams over the life of a project. These guidelines follow the four stages of a project timeline: Pre‐Project, Project Initiation, Midstream, and Wrap‐Up. Practical implications – Following guidelines and understanding the differences between conventional and virtual leadership will enable managers to become effective virtual team leaders. Originality/value – The paper shows how, in the context of increasing globalization and technology, leaders can manage the challenges of leading virtual teams.